GHRI Investigates Microwave-Safe Ceramics - What You Can Do

Microwave Safe: A Source of Confusion

Right here on GoodHousekeeping.com, we conducted a survey of 2,000 consumers to find out how often you use your microwave and what you think microwave safe means. We heard from over a thousand of you. Heres what you told us.

49% of you told us that microwave safe means that a product will not break, crack, shatter, or become damaged in some way when its heated in the microwave oven. I figure it means that the dish won't break into a million pieces! You can use it in the microwave without fear of it blowing up.

36% of you think that microwave safe means that a product is safe for use in the microwave but cant say what that specifically means.

32% of you think microwave safe means a product wont leach harmful or toxic chemicals or substances into food.

Only 15% of you consider microwave safe to mean that a product wont get hot when heated in the microwave. That you won't burn your hand getting it out!! It lets the microwaves go to the food and doesn't heat.

All this confusion despite the fact that 63.6% of you said you use your microwave ovens several times a day and 98% of you look for microwave safe ceramicware when youre out shopping. We advocate that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) create a standard definition of microwave safe and make it mandatory that products labeled microwave safe meet a version of ASTM Standard C1607, revised to call for testing pieces that have been aged by subjecting them to repeated microwave and dishwashing cycles before testing.

What You Can Do:

Dont take it for granted that dinnerware labeled microwave safe wont get too hot when heated in the microwave. When youre out shopping for microwave-safe dinnerware, purchase just one piece and test it out by using it in the microwave before springing for an entire set.

Be careful when youre removing an item with hot liquid or food from the microwave oven. Keep pot holders nearby where theyre easy to find and use.

Dont allow children to use the microwave unsupervised. If kids arent old enough to use the stove or the toaster, they shouldnt be using the microwave.

Good Housekeeping already has an account with this email address. Link your account to use Facebook to sign in to Good Housekeeping. To insure we protect your account, please fill in your password below.

Your information has been saved and an account has been created for you giving you full access to everything goodhousekeeping.com and Hearst Digital Media Network have to offer. To change your username and/or password or complete your profile, click here.